Protest erupts in Hong Kong over proposed security law

Hong Kong is witnessing a renewal of protests over a newly-proposed security law as a lockdown imposed over the coronavirus outbreak gradually loosens.

Police on Sunday fired tear gas at protesters who had gathered for a march against the proposed bill between the districts of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.

Hundreds of protesters were participating, ignoring earlier police warnings against assembly.

The proposed law was recently submitted for deliberation to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and it aims to boost security measures and safeguard national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) after violent protests rocked the region for months last year.

Anti-government protests began last year over a now-shelved extradition law and escalated in June. The protesters often heavily vandalized shops and public property and attacked citizens believed to be pro-government.

However, since the government imposed a ban on public meetings to curb the coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong had been relatively calm.

Meanwhile, officials have assured Hong Kong investors that businesses will not be negatively affected under the law.

The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong said in a statement that the city’s high degree of autonomy “will remain unchanged, and the interests of foreign investors in the city will continue to be protected in accordance with the law.”

It said the proposed law was aimed at creating the framework to stop the acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, external interference, and other acts undermining national security.

The statement stressed that the law would in no way harm the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents, but enable them to better exercise their legitimate rights and enjoy freedoms in a safe environment.

It said some countries were interfering in China’s internal affairs by obstructing and sabotaging Beijing’s efforts to maintain sovereignty and security.

Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam also defended the proposed law, saying it was necessary to protect national security and punish “violent political elements.”

Another top Hong Kong official also assured that the region’s autonomy would remain and that mainland law enforcement would not operate in Hong Kong without approval from local authorities.

Beijing says Hong Kong security purely domestic affair of China

During a daily briefing in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian also defended the proposed legislation and expressed opposition to any kind of foreign interference in China’s domestic affairs.

“Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. The issue of implementing Hong Kong’s national security law is purely China’s domestic affair. No foreign country has the right to interfere,” Zhao said.

The Chinese government is firmly committed to protecting its sovereignty, security, and national interests, and to implementing the “one country, two systems” form of rule, he said.

SS